By Mercy Peter
The National Women’s Platform on Security Sector Reform and Government has called for stronger inclusion of women in politics, peacebuilding, and governance as it marked the 2025 International Day of Peace with the theme “She Speaks Peace.”
The event, held in Abuja, brought together civil society organisations, government representatives, and international partners to amplify the role of women in driving peace and security reforms in Nigeria.
It followed a series of grassroots, state, and regional engagements and culminated in a national dialogue highlighting the urgent need to close the gender gap in leadership.
Speakers at the forum stressed that women remain underrepresented in Nigeria’s political and security sectors, with less than 5% representation in the National Assembly. They argued that despite women making up half of Nigeria’s population, their voices are still largely excluded from critical decision-making processes.
“If women are not at the table, they are on the menu,” one speaker emphasized, underscoring the urgency of affirmative action policies to ensure fair participation. Comparisons were drawn to countries like Germany, where political parties adopt gender-quoted lists to guarantee balance in parliamentary representation.
Paul Andrew Gwaza of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, who delivered the keynote address, urged both government and society to prioritize women’s participation across governance structures.
“It is not only about the federal level. State assemblies, governors, and even local government elections must open the space for women to participate,” he said. He added that while Nigeria boasts of having a female Chief Justice of Nigeria, this achievement must not mask the broader gaps in women’s representation.
Gwaza also noted that insecurity in Nigeria cannot be fully addressed without women’s active involvement, particularly at the community and grassroots levels where they often serve as mediators and peacebuilders.
The platform highlighted existing instruments such as the National Gender Policy, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, and the Maputo Protocol as entry points for greater inclusion.
It also pointed to the ongoing third review of Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, which has already supported over 130 women in grassroots peacebuilding roles in a single state.
“We are not just talking. We started from grassroots engagement, then state, then national, and now regional. Our goal is to move the conversation to the centre table where leadership decisions are made,” the organisers said.
They further stressed the need for mentorship, law reform, and the involvement of men as allies through initiatives such as HeForShe, to dismantle systemic barriers that keep women excluded from governance and security institutions.
The event ended with a strong appeal to government at all levels to back women’s inclusion with actionable policies, resources, and political will.
“Women must be visible not just as beneficiaries but as active players in governance and peacebuilding. Democracy cannot thrive when half of society is left behind,” the communiqué stated.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity and governance challenges, the National Women’s Platform reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that women’s voices are not just heard, but placed at the forefront of peace and security reforms.
